The Fading Moon Chapter 22: Spring Before Goodbye

Read chapter 22 of The Fading Moon by MananTayal on NovelPedia.

The first signs of spring arrived quietly. One morning, Mike noticed that the snow piled along the streets had almost completely disappeared. The harsh winter winds that had once cut through Tokyo like knives had softened into gentle breezes. The trees lining the roads no longer looked lifeless. Tiny green buds had begun appearing on their branches, hinting at the arrival of a new season. For most people, it was just another spring. For Mike, it felt different. Because every season that arrived now felt like something precious. Something that Jessika might never see again. That thought haunted him every day. The hospital had become a second home. He spent more time there than in his own apartment. The nurses knew him by name. The receptionist greeted him every morning with a sympathetic smile. Even the vending machine on the third floor had become familiar. Yet no matter how much time he spent there, he never got used to seeing Jessika in that hospital bed. Some days she looked almost like her old self. Other days she looked so exhausted that it hurt just to look at her. Today seemed to be one of the better days. When Mike entered her room, he found her sitting beside the window instead of lying in bed. Sunlight poured through the glass and illuminated her face. She was staring outside with a thoughtful expression. "What are you looking at?" Mike asked as he entered. Jessika turned and smiled. "The trees." Mike walked over and looked outside. Rows of cherry blossom trees stretched along the road below the hospital. Most of them were still bare. But a few branches had begun to bloom. Tiny pink flowers had appeared. The first cherry blossoms of the year. "They're early," Mike said. Jessika nodded. "They're beautiful." There was something in her voice that made Mike look at her more carefully. A mixture of happiness and sadness. As if she was looking at something precious that she knew she couldn't keep. To change the mood, Mike lifted the paper bag he was carrying. "I brought something." Immediately her eyes narrowed. "What is it?" "You'll see." "Mike." "You'll see." "Mike." He laughed and handed her the bag. Within seconds she had opened it. Her eyes widened. "Strawberry cake." "Your favorite." "You're amazing." "I know." Jessika immediately took a bite. The happiness on her face was so genuine that Mike couldn't help smiling. For a few minutes they talked about random things. A movie she wanted to watch. A funny nurse who kept scolding her. A television show she had recently become obsessed with. It almost felt normal. Almost. Then the doctor arrived. The moment Mike saw him standing in the doorway, something felt wrong. The doctor's expression was serious. Far too serious. "Mike, could I speak with you outside for a moment?" The words instantly made his stomach tighten. Jessika noticed too. But she simply smiled. "Go." Mike followed the doctor into the hallway. The moment the door closed behind them, the cheerful atmosphere vanished. The doctor looked exhausted. As if he had delivered this kind of news too many times before. "We received the latest results." Mike didn't say anything. He already knew. Somehow he already knew. "The treatments are no longer responding the way we'd hoped." Those words hit harder than any punch. Mike felt his chest tighten. The doctor continued speaking. Talking about options. Talking about comfort care. Talking about making her remaining time meaningful. But Mike barely heard any of it. Only one thought remained. Things were getting worse. Far worse. When the conversation finally ended, Mike stood frozen in the hallway for several moments. The world suddenly felt distant. Muted. Like he was underwater. Eventually he forced himself to move. Forced himself to walk back toward the room. Forced himself to open the door. Jessika was still sitting beside the window. Watching the cherry blossoms. She looked over her shoulder when he entered. The smile on her face disappeared instantly. She knew. Before